Don't let the 110kV Cao Thắng project be delayed any longer.

In 2016, the Cao Thang 110kV Transmission Line and Substation project (Ha Long City) was approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade , with a total budget of over 260 billion VND from a KFW (German Reconstruction Bank) loan. However, to date, all planned milestones of the project have not been implemented due to obstacles in land clearance, forcing multiple adjustments to the route. According to calculations, if the project is not implemented by the end of 2025, the electricity sector will have to repay the ODA loan, and Ha Long City will be indirectly affected in terms of socio-economic development.

The power sector is organizing the renovation and upgrading of the 110kV 173, 174 T500 power lines connecting Quang Ninh - Giap Khau - Ha Tu - Ha Lam.

Currently, the entire Hon Gai area of Ha Long City is supplied with electricity from the 173 and 174 T500 Quang Ninh power lines. Both lines were built in 1985; however, due to the small conductor cross-section while the load in the Hon Gai area has increased sharply over the years, the lines frequently operate at high load (up to 80%). In addition, due to their location over coal mines and along the coast, both lines are also affected by saline and dusty environments, impacting their mechanical properties.

With the aim of supporting the loop circuit and redistributing the load for the 173 and 174 T500 lines in Quang Ninh, ensuring stable power supply to Ha Long City even in the event of a failure of the two lines, the Northern Power Corporation decided in 2015 to quickly implement the Cao Thang 110kV Transmission Line and Substation project and identified it as one of the key projects of the power industry. In 2016, the project was officially approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Project Management Board of the Northern Power Corporation was assigned as the investor.

According to the design, the project involves constructing nearly 10km of new 110kV double-circuit overhead power lines connecting from the Hoành Bồ 550kV substation (Thống Nhất commune), passing through Hà Khánh ward and extending to Cao Thắng ward. The project also includes an additional 110kV underground cable line approximately 2km long and the construction of a new 110/22 kV substation with a capacity of 2 x 63MVA. Due to the large volume of power lines, the initial design required the project to pass through coal mining areas and mangrove forests, resulting in significant delays in adjusting the route.

In 2022, after completing the route adjustment, organizing the bidding process, and identifying the construction contractor, the project again encountered obstacles related to the provincial and Ha Long City planning. Specifically, regarding the 110kV overhead power line, the People's Committee of Ha Long City requested adjustments to the route plan from position 1-12 (3km) due to incompatibility with the city's general plan approved by the Prime Minister in February 2023; Hon Gai Coal Company requested consideration of adjustments to positions from pole 19 to pole 30 due to their location in a subsidence zone and impact on the company's mining reserves; the 110kV power line route required a re-survey and redesign of overlapping pole sections and a resubmission of the 1/500 detailed plan.

Regarding the 110kV substation, according to the project plan for expanding Bui Thi Xuan Street in Hong Hai Ward, Ha Long City, the coordinates of the Cao Thang 110kV substation were updated in the overall site plan in 2021. However, after checking and comparing with the general plan of Ha Long City, the substation's location coordinates are inconsistent.

The aforementioned obstacles have prevented the project from being implemented for a long time, making it the longest-delayed project in the electricity sector. Significantly, this delay has had a considerable impact on the electricity supply for residents and businesses in Ha Long City.

For example, in March-April 2024, Quang Ninh Power Company, during the renovation of the 173 and 174 T500 power lines connecting Quang Ninh, Giap Khau, Ha Tu, and Ha Lam, was forced to reduce power during peak hours for nearly 65,000 customers. This means that if the 110kV Cao Thang power line project were implemented, the daily lives and production activities of nearly 65,000 customers in Ha Long would not have been disrupted.

In early January 2025, after inspecting the site, the leaders of the Northern Power Corporation decided to assign Quang Ninh Power Company to take the lead in implementing the project.

Determined to overcome difficulties, in early January 2025, the Northern Power Corporation decided to assign Quang Ninh Power Company to take the lead and coordinate with other units to implement the route adjustment agreement to conform with the planning. At the same time, they worked with local authorities to obtain approval for the project's route adjustment, carried out procedures for approving the detailed 1/500 scale planning, and carried out land compensation and clearance.

Currently, Quang Ninh Power Company has re-surveyed the 110kV power line route and developed a plan for its removal. Accordingly, some sections of the project's power line will share poles with the existing 173 and 174 T500 Quang Ninh power lines, to avoid creating additional power lines passing through coal mining areas. Simultaneously, the route will be adjusted, and power lines will be buried underground in areas passing through many residential areas to minimize the project's impact on residents.

Mr. Dang Thanh, Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Power Company, said: "The company's plan is to ensure the project is implemented in 2025 and put into operation as directed by the General Corporation. To ensure the project is completed soon, we urgently need the cooperation of Ha Long City, the Department of Construction, and other relevant units to quickly approve the adjusted route plan. Based on that, we can approve the 1/500 scale planning and expedite land compensation and clearance."

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